Kenton Morris: 1947 - 2008

Former radio exec drawn to aviation

September 14, 2008|By Azam Ahmed, TRIBUNE REPORTER

Kenton Morris, a commercial pilot, was not supposed to be flying Thursday night when he took off on a chartered plane with two Milwaukee men.

A colleague had called Morris at the last minute and asked him to fill in. A generous man and avid flier, Morris agreed to help, leaving his home in Batavia almost immediately after the call, his fiance said Saturday.

A few hours later, the single-engine plane Morris was flying crashed at Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae, Wis., killing the former radio station executive and two passengers. Morris, 61, died Thursday of injuries suffered in the crash, his family said.

A loving father figure, Morris referred to his fiance's children as his daughters. He showered them with affection, said Jillian Bennett, whose mother was engaged to Morris.

"He knew that we didn't have the DNA, but that he was [still] our dad," Bennett said.

Morris was a longtime employee of WGN, where he worked as an assistant program director, then became manager of the WGN-sponsored Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier.

In his capacity as garden show manager, Morris filled the massive Festival Hall at Navy Pier with more than 15 gardens and 100 vendors every year. Morris revived the garden show in 1995 and continued running the event until it closed in 2006.

"I was amazed with the way he was able to juggle all the disparate elements of this show: making a profit, being artistically successful, getting to know all of the goofy people in the green industry," said Bill Aldrich, publisher of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

After retiring, Morris began to do more flying, family said. He became involved with a charity organization that offers free plane rides to sick children who can't afford transportation costs to receive treatment.

About three months ago, he received his commercial license and began flying for a taxi service, family said.

"He loved to fly," said his fiance, Lori Bennett. "It was his first love, next to his family."

There are no immediate survivors.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. in Moss Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.